Read Genesis 1 using an amplified Bible or a NIV study Bible if one is available.

On day 3 of creation, God caused the dry land to appear on earth (Genesis 2: 5-6. Initially there was no vegetation (plants) on the earth’s surface (Gen. 2: 5). Prior to vegetation covering the land, carbon dioxide existed in high levels in the atmosphere secondary to volcanic action in the earth’s crust. Once plant-like micro-organisms began to appear, plants converted carbon dioxide to oxygen using light. Subsequently, earth’s atmosphere became rich in oxygen which animals and man need to breathe and live. In this blog I will use the word plants in place of vegetation. From the study of all life (biology), Plantae (plants) are living organisms that include trees, shrubs, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses and flowers.

The Bible says that the reason there was no plants initially on the dry land was because 1) God had not yet caused it to rain upon the earth and 2) there was no man to till the ground (Genesis 2:5). This scripture implies that in God’s earliest plans man and plants were to interacting, e.g., man to tend plants and plants to supply man with food. Other scripture that support God’s plans for man to interact with plants include his direction for Adam to “subdue” the earth (Genesis 1: 28). The meaning of subdue is to use the vast resources in the service of God and man. God told Adam (Genesis 1:29) also: “I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of the land and every tree with seed in its fruit and you shall have them for food.” It is noteworthy that God did not limit Adam’s interaction with plants to just those in the Garden of Eden; rather God give Adam every plant on the face of the earth.

As I was looking at the creation story, I wondered why God created plants before He created the sun (Genesis 1: 9 – 19). God created plants on Day 3 before He created the sun on Day 4. Yet, plants require light for photosynthesis; in the presence of light, carbon dioxide + water = plant sugars + oxygen. The whole process of plants growing and preparing the earth for man’s habitat may have moved quicker if the sun was created before plants. I wanted to reverse Days 3 and 4 of creation to hurry the entire process along.

Then, I laughed at myself remembering God’s words that His thoughts are not my thoughts and His ways are not my ways (Isaiah 53:8); as the heavens are higher than the earth, are God’s thoughts and ways above mine.” God did not need my input into the creative process. God is infinite and exists separate from man’s (my) perspective on time. God doesn’t care if creation took millions of years. It is I, with a limitation of about 80 years of life, who wants to hurry things along.

Application: It is alright to wonder about how God does things and even about what He requires of us; however, in the last analysis when I don’t agree with God’s words and plans, it is up to me to change my mind and thoughts.